Would you stay in a penthouse suite overlooking the A41? Planning application hints at new 38-room hotel

Artist's impression for the 'Symbio Hotel' proposed at the current office block site in Whiteleaf Road

Victoria Bull

Hemel Hempstead could soon see a new 38-bedroom hotel with a penthouse suite built near the entrance to the A41.

A planning application to change the office block Symbio House on Whiteleaf Road into a hotel, complete with gym and swimming pool, has been submitted to Dacorum Borough Council.

The application, made by Qualapharm Ltd which operates from the same address, would see the hotel created alongside the new Aldi store currently being built on the site of the former Volvo dealership near the A41.

The site is visible from London Road, but references to the hotel’s proposed contemporary design suggest it is intended to create ‘an open and inviting appearance, which in turn will significantly improve the streetscene character’.

Plans for the hotel feature a gym with swimming pool, spa rooms, restaurant and bar area and conference rooms. Two extensions are proposed at ground floor level to facilitate the changes.

Work is also proposed to create a 34-space car park with one disabled space, while disabled access to the reception area would also be ensured.

As well as two floors of hotel rooms, the application also highlights plans for a large penthouse apartment with access onto a private, north facing terrace.

According to planning documents available on Dacorum Borough Council’s website, the application requires an environmental assessment before the development control committee can allow or reject the change of use. Industrial neighbours to the site have also been consulted on the plans.

The borough council has set a target date for a decision on the change of use application of June 3.

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